Curious about play styles (Destiny)
So there's a lot of salt out there now being poured on Destiny. All the responses to their Facebook posts are negative (no surprise there, though) but one of complaints I keep seeing is that people can't reach 305. I've even seen some people on this forum mention how they can't get gear to take them to 305.
This confuses me because I've been at 305 for a while. I've not completed the raid, never even loaded a nightfall and have never won a game of trials and can count completed strikes on one hand. I pretty much grind public events, lost sectors and patrols. Occasionally will jump into Quick Match Crucible for a couple of games. How did I reach 305 so quickly while others are struggling? Is it just because I play with one character?
304 is functionally Bootless 29 from Vanilla Destiny. Generally unless you are farming for exotics you have 3 opportunities for drops, at 1-2 items per drop, w/o NF/Raid/Trials. + up to 4 drops from clangrams.
I picked up 5 clangrams and one milestone yesterday on Xbox after not playing for a couple weeks due to TV software issues. That led to 8 total drops off 5 Engrams. 4 were power weapons, 1 energy, 2 legs, 1 chest. My gloves have been 304 since week 3. /shrug
I have been playing on PC with a late adopting friend just to mix up the gameplay loop. Because the viable weapon set changes a lot witth a mouse and reduced recoil systems. I’ve been floating around the late 280’s for the same reason.
This
by ZackDark 
, Not behind you. NO! Don't look., Monday, November 27, 2017, 12:41 (2635 days ago) @ Harmanimus
Except for 300-, in which case it is probably lack of knowledge of how the mod system works or how to use it optimally.
Luck.
by marmot 1333 , Monday, November 27, 2017, 13:29 (2635 days ago) @ Harmanimus
I had a similar experience. On PS4, all my gear reached 305 except for arms relatively quickly. It took me at least 3 more weeks, possibly 4, to get a full power arm piece.
Funny, I'm 296
by kidtsunami , Atlanta, GA, Monday, November 27, 2017, 12:51 (2635 days ago) @ ManKitten
- Done the raid
- Went flawless (within 11 games ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
- Got 2 alts
I occasionally play and am enjoying going through the adventures on each character.
Right now my crew is mostly playing Fortnite and Rocket League unless someone is trying to get a card going.
Funny, I'm 296
unless someone is trying to get a card going.
If you are ever interested in joining one of my Trials FTB events, feel free. Getting an invested group together has become a bit difficult lately.
I'll keep an eye out!
by kidtsunami , Atlanta, GA, Monday, November 27, 2017, 13:45 (2635 days ago) @ squidnh3
unless someone is trying to get a card going.
If you are ever interested in joining one of my Trials FTB events, feel free. Getting an invested group together has become a bit difficult lately.
My parents are in town today so I won't hop on this one, but I'm more than happy to join a card.
You should just play Fortnite instead.
by unoudid , Somewhere over the rainbow, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 06:48 (2635 days ago) @ squidnh3
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Curious about play styles
It took a month to get my Hunter from 304 to 305. Likewise my warlock has been hanging at 304 for several weeks now. My Titan shot up to 305 almost immediately.
It really is RNG with the drops. I just couldn't get a helmet to save my life for my hunter, and my warlock still suffers for a chest piece.
I don't understand all the salt for Destiny these last few weeks. There are a few balance issues, and the obsession with tokens for everything is a bit annoying, but overall the game is mostly what fans were asking for.
To me, the big letdowns are the small areas (still), no vehicles, no 6 man patrols, and no 6 man activities outside the raid. I never had a problem with 6 man crucible either.
Agreed: 6-man activities
by Oholiab , Monday, November 27, 2017, 20:38 (2635 days ago) @ Durandal
To me, the big letdowns are the small areas (still), no vehicles, no 6 man patrols, and no 6 man activities outside the raid. I never had a problem with 6 man crucible either.
I miss 6-man crucible, and I would love to see 6-man patrol! You got me thinking... I would really enjoy a Warthog style vehicle that could hold a fireteam of three.
Agreed: 6-man activities
To me, the big letdowns are the small areas (still), no vehicles, no 6 man patrols, and no 6 man activities outside the raid. I never had a problem with 6 man crucible either.
I miss 6-man crucible, and I would love to see 6-man patrol! You got me thinking... I would really enjoy a Warthog style vehicle that could hold a fireteam of three.
This was such an obvious thing for D1 and I'm so sad that they still don't have even 2 man vehicles. When was Halo made? Who made it? So why don't we have multi-player vehicles in Destiny???
Last Light
It did seem like it was intended to be included. Lost Light, and the other larger maps like Skyshock were very haloesqe in design, with outside vehicle areas and smaller inside pedestrian areas.
I recall Bungie said they did not include the vehicle boarding aspects from Halo because they felt the super abilities covered for it, which is a pity. The "teleport in" used on the Drake tank just feels like neglect.
Bungie had a really good system by halo 3, with component damage, boarding, and specific anti-vehicle weapons. Destiny could really benefit from that same system. I really want a scarab fight in D2. It would really make the game feel larger. I had hopes the raid would have us board an imperial land tank on the move, and fight our way inside. Or chase a teleporting vex machine as it tries to eliminate failsafe.
It just seems like a lost opportunity on Bungie's side. especially if guardians built their warthog equivalents by scavenging parts from different locals.
Last Light
by Blackt1g3r , Login is from an untrusted domain in MN, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 06:31 (2635 days ago) @ Durandal
It seems to me the real problem isn't supers, but how do you have the vehicles "level up" along with the character (unless you dump the light leveling system entirely, removing the "rpg" aspect)? Either I have a separate vehicle section where I customize my vehicles and have one more thing to work on leveling up, or you have vehicles that are vastly different in power depending on who is using it.
Independent leveling of vehicles
I would go with independent leveling of vehicles. That way you can extend the system over to ships (which Bungie could expand upon quite profitably).
My suggestion would not even have light level initially with vehicles. Everything would just be white rarity at first, and once they have levels expanded with vehicles in mind you can introduce different rarity of gear and customization options. More legendary or exotic parts would have better performance, more mod slots, and unique abilities. That way you wouldn't worry about your prized vehicle becoming outmoded by an expansion. You would see any DLC as an opportunity to get parts that further customize and tune your ride.
D2 is already wide and shallow. There is no reason to invisibly scale vehicles just to satisfy an RPG mechanic where everyone is within 10% of each other anyway.
Independent leveling of vehicles
by Blackt1g3r , Login is from an untrusted domain in MN, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 13:02 (2634 days ago) @ Durandal
D2 is already wide and shallow. There is no reason to invisibly scale vehicles just to satisfy an RPG mechanic where everyone is within 10% of each other anyway.
Personally, I don't see any reason to have light level at all. Everyone is within 10% of each other anyway so what's the point?
Independent leveling of vehicles
D2 is already wide and shallow. There is no reason to invisibly scale vehicles just to satisfy an RPG mechanic where everyone is within 10% of each other anyway.
Personally, I don't see any reason to have light level at all. Everyone is within 10% of each other anyway so what's the point?
I agree with you.
In the D1 beta I had high hopes. There were sections of the beta you couldn't access because they were guarded by level 20 mobs who would stomp us level 8 noobs. And then the real game came out and we learned that those high level mobs were guarding a single chest, or a dead ghost shell, or literally nothing but an empty room. The potential to make light level meaningful mechanically was there, but it wasn't utilized at all.
D2's power level is even more meaningless. It gates a small quantity of content, but otherwise is not functional at all now that IB and Trials ignore it.
At this point, why bother?
Oh yeah, to give people a grind in order to provide the false narrative that there's a reason to keep playing.
Last Light
by Cody Miller , Music of the Spheres - Never Forgot, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 10:42 (2634 days ago) @ Blackt1g3r
It seems to me the real problem isn't supers, but how do you have the vehicles "level up" along with the character (unless you dump the light leveling system entirely, removing the "rpg" aspect)?
Vehicles can operate at your character power level. Not sure why that's a difficult problem?
Was thinking the same thing
by MacAddictXIV , Seattle WA, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 10:45 (2634 days ago) @ Cody Miller
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Think about Iron Banner with Vehicles for example?
by Blackt1g3r , Login is from an untrusted domain in MN, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 13:02 (2634 days ago) @ Cody Miller
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Think about Iron Banner with Vehicles for example?
by Cody Miller , Music of the Spheres - Never Forgot, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 13:41 (2634 days ago) @ Blackt1g3r
I'm not sure how that would be any different…
What if Iron Banner is rethought? What if Iron Banner is the hardcore mode where there's no light differences, and a limited selection of guns to choose from? Just pure skill.
Think about Iron Banner with Vehicles for example?
by Harmanimus , Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 13:56 (2634 days ago) @ Cody Miller
I’ve been wanting a curated gear competitive playlist or activity since Y1. A streamlined experience could fit really well, especially to allow folks to try weapons they may not have otherwise unlocked.
Think about Iron Banner with Vehicles for example?
I'm not sure how that would be any different…
What if Iron Banner is rethought? What if Iron Banner is the hardcore mode where there's no light differences, and a limited selection of guns to choose from? Just pure skill.
That would be great, and possibly the only game mode I'd ever want to play again.
I've been 305 forever, too.
Always keep your highest power item on you, even if you're not gonna use it. Complete the "powerful reward" weekly activities. Earn clan rewards. Bam - that's a crapton of high light items for ya.
I've been 305 forever, too.
by narcogen 
, Andover, Massachusetts, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 04:50 (2635 days ago) @ Kahzgul
Always keep your highest power item on you, even if you're not gonna use it. Complete the "powerful reward" weekly activities. Earn clan rewards. Bam - that's a crapton of high light items for ya.
I thought that didn't matter anymore? Wasn't the reward system supposed to take into account your highest light level ever achieved, even if you aren't wearing those items or even holding them in inventory?
I've been 305 forever, too.
by MacAddictXIV , Seattle WA, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 07:16 (2634 days ago) @ narcogen
Always keep your highest power item on you, even if you're not gonna use it. Complete the "powerful reward" weekly activities. Earn clan rewards. Bam - that's a crapton of high light items for ya.
I thought that didn't matter anymore? Wasn't the reward system supposed to take into account your highest light level ever achieved, even if you aren't wearing those items or even holding them in inventory?
Yeah, as long as you don't infused a high light into another (because it takes the highest from each slot and you can cross slot infuse) or get rid of anything.
I've been 305 forever, too.
by Harmanimus , Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 08:52 (2634 days ago) @ narcogen
Only the Exotic items you have on you seem to matter. For whatever reason the auto-gear calculation seems to have issues eith swapping out exotics. Likely due to limiting the number equipped. This is not always an impact, but if it reduces your overall power level engram and gear drops are lower.
I've been 305 forever, too.
by MacAddictXIV , Seattle WA, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 08:59 (2634 days ago) @ Harmanimus
Only the Exotic items you have on you seem to matter. For whatever reason the auto-gear calculation seems to have issues eith swapping out exotics. Likely due to limiting the number equipped. This is not always an impact, but if it reduces your overall power level engram and gear drops are lower.
Somewhere, I can't remember where, someone worked it out that weapons are worth more on your overall light calculation. They are worth like 20% more than armor.
Allegedly yes. Anecdotally no.
I have no proof of this, other than to say that when I was leveling up I only got higher light items (outside of "powerful rewards") above 280 if and only if my high light gear was on my character. It was easy to tell with my warlock, since I hit 20 and had a bunch of 305 guns in the vault, but not on my character yet. My engrams didn't decrypt above 280 until I remembered those, put them on and then - bam, higher power gear.
Maybe they're tied to whether or not they've physically been in your individual character's inventory? Or maybe the game only remembers the highest light you've ever equipped in a given slot? I have no way of quickly figuring out what was up. But something was definitely up.